Legal shooting light in North Carolina

In short

In North Carolina, legal shooting light for game animals runs from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. At Raleigh today that is 6:24 AM to 7:57 PM EDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Fri, Sep 11EDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

—

Legal from6:24 AM

Sunrise6:54 AM

Sunset7:27 PM

Legal until7:57 PM

Civil dawn6:28 AM

Civil dusk7:53 PM

Legal day13h 33m

Daylight12h 33m

Sunrise bearing84°

Sunset bearing276°

The North Carolina ruleCommon rule · confirm with agency

Game animals & non-migratory birdsone-half hour before sunrise → one-half hour after sunset

Confirm with: North Carolina wildlife agency. Sun times computed with astronomy-engine (USNO convention: upper limb, refraction).

All states·North Carolina season dates·North Carolina regulations

North Carolina shooting hours, answered

What are the legal shooting hours in North Carolina?

For game animals, North Carolina allows hunting from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. This is the common rule; confirm the exact wording with the state agency.

When does legal light end today at Raleigh?

Today legal light ends at 7:57 PM EDT at Raleigh (7:27 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.